Emus

Emus are huge birds that live only in Australia. They can grow up to 6 feet tall and cannot fly. Emus have shaggy brown feathers and long, skinny legs. They are the second biggest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus run very fast and can travel long distances to find food and water.

Fast Runners

Emus have strong legs with three toes on each foot. They can run up to 30 miles per hour. Their big strides can cover almost 9 feet in one step. Emus do not have wings big enough to fly, but they use their small wings for balance. They also have thick pads on the bottom of their feet to help them walk on hot sand.

What Emus Eat

Emus are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and small animals. They munch on seeds, fruits, flowers, and young shoots. Emus also eat insects and small lizards when they can catch them. They swallow small stones to help grind up food in their stomachs. Emus can go days without water but will drink a lot when they find it.

Emu Families

Female emus lay big, dark green eggs in nests on the ground. Then the father takes over! He sits on the eggs for about 8 weeks without eating or drinking much. After the chicks hatch, the father keeps them safe for over a year. The striped baby chicks follow him everywhere like ducklings.

Fun Facts

• Emus can jump up to 7 feet in the air.
• They make deep booming and drumming sounds from a pouch in their throat.
• An emu egg is about the size of a baseball.

Did You Know?

The emu appears on Australia's coat of arms along with a kangaroo because both animals find it hard to walk backwards, which stands for moving forward.